Former Senator John Edwards' Campaign Finance Trial Begins

Former Senator John Edwards was once one of the country’s most promising politicians: a vice presidential nominee and presidential hopeful. But for the next six weeks, he will be a prominent defendant in a campaign finance trial that is unprecedented. Edwards is being charged with using illegal campaign contributions to cover up an affair with Rielle Hunter, a videographer who worked for him during his 2008 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Edwards faces six felony counts. If he is convicted on all six, he could face up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. Kim Severson, Atlanta bureau chief for our partner The New York Times, will be covering the trial in Greensboro, North Carolina.